Carter describes possible unintended effects of sequestration law: While the Defense Department can foresee the

WASHINGTON (Aug. 1, 2012) -- While the Defense Department can foresee the harmful effects of sequestration, the nature of the legislative mechanism makes it impossible to devise a plan that eliminates or substantially mitigates those effects, Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter said here today. Testifying before the House Armed Services Committee, Carter explained the law's effect on the defense budget and overall strategy. Sequestration refers to a mechanism built into the Budget Control Act that would trigger an additional $500 billion across-the-board cut in defense spending over the next decade if Congress doesn't identify alternative spending cuts by January. "We're working with [the Office of Management and Budget] to understand this complex legislation, and we are, as I described, assessing impacts," Carter said. "But we're still five months from January. I'm ...